Bullet Catch

A hush comes over the audience. The sequence begins again as the firearm coordinator intones:

“Scott, are you ready?”

“Yes!”

“Shooter, are you ready?”

“Yes!”

“Scott, are you still ready?”

“Yes!”

“3…, 2..., 1…,”

A shot rings out, shattering the silence in the theatre…

The bullet catch is one of the most perilous tricks in the world of magic, having claimed the lives of more than a dozen magicians over the hundreds of years history of the trick being performed. The secret to the trick remains one of most heavily guarded in magic.

Making a documentary film about the bullet catch required Scott to step outside his comfort zone as a magician, immersing himself in the history and the staging of the trick. It required his building a team to teach him about firearms. His safety depended upon a deep knowledge of their power and a thorough understanding of their safe use. And making a successful documentary film for commercial release creates the need for a team of filmmakers to knit together scripted ideas and real life situations into a coherent and entertaining package.

Over the course of a year, Scott harnessed the resources of Superchannel, Markham Street Films, police department gun experts and his team to perform and stage the trick. He honed new skills in terms of writing, producing and management of his team to ensure that the trick could be performed safely, within budget and provide solid entertainment.

SPOILER ALERT IN NEXT PARAGRAPH!

In the end, Scott performed his version of the bullet catch safely, and on budget. The documentary film evolved as the process unfolded. The entertainment component of the film was actually enhanced when problems arose within the performance team as the shooter (who was also the co-writer and co-producer) was unwilling to complete his gun training and licensing in preparation for the performance and was asked to step down as the shooter. The tension of the meetings leading to this decision became an integral part of the film.

So after a year of team building, harnessing resources and enduring the moments leading up to the countdown before the shot rang out in the theatre, Scott has been able to prove that you can use art to take the power away from the gun.

STUNT WORK DISCLAIMER: Scott works extensively with trained professionals to ensure that he is well prepared to attempt his stunts successfully and safely. However, despite his precautions, there is a very real element of risk in all of Scott’s stunts. The stunts depicted and described on this website are extremely dangerous and should not be attempted by an individual who is not a trained, professional stunt performer.

Roman Cascade

Fire.

Millions of years ago, man harnessed the power of fire as a tool and weapon.

Fire warms us, cooks our food, and illuminates our night.

But if you play with fire, you might get burned…

Scott’s first attempt at Roman Cascade ended terribly. As a result of a serious accident, Scott sustained second-degree burns on his hand, and endured a long, painful recovery. The video of Scott’s recovery can be seen here. WARNING: This is real footage of Scott’s burns. The video is EXTREMELY graphic and is NOT recommended for younger viewers.

While healing, Scott was listening to the pod cast of one of his idols, Penn Jillette (From the famous illusionist duo Penn and Teller) speak about art. He detailed the moment he understood what true art was all about. This story made Scott think about his art differently and was part of the reason he decided to attempt Roman Cascade again.

Having learned his lesson about fire protection the first time, Scott invested in three fireproof suits. One for him and one each for the crew that was filming the stunt. He also learned his lesson about properly documenting the stunt with a proper film crew and proper equipment.

The end result is a beautifully shot, high definition video of Scott successfully juggling Roman Candles on a remote beach. Scott knows that this stunt would not have been possible without the love and support of his family, friends, colleagues and crew.

STUNT WORK DISCLAIMER: Scott works extensively with trained professionals to ensure that he is well prepared to attempt his stunts successfully and safely. However, despite his precautions, there is a very real element of risk in all of Scott’s stunts. The stunts depicted and described on this website are extremely dangerous and should not be attempted by an individual who is not a trained, professional stunt performer.

Down And Out

You are 11,000 feet in the air. A blindfold covers your eyes and your hands are cuffed to your waist. Mustering your courage, you step out of the plane and are quickly hurtling towards the ground at speeds of 160 miles per hour.

Nothing left to do now but uncuff yourself, release your parachute, and land safely.

You have 45 seconds. You have one chance. A mistake would be fatal.

In 2008, Scott conceptualized the idea for the stunt, Down and Out. Originally, his plan was to skydive with his hands cuffed to his waist from a height of 13,000 feet. After undergoing extensive skydiving training, the stunt date was set to take place on Friday, February 13th in California. However, that attempt would prove to be ill fated. After being postponed over 25 times for various reasons (including inclement weather, stunt team changes, and issues with obtaining permission), the stunt was postponed indefinitely due to legal restrictions.

Not wanting his training and efforts to be for naught, Scott assembled a team to attempt the Guinness World Record for the “World’s Fastest Moving Card Trick.” His efforts were successful, and 52 Free Fly was born.

Now back in Canada, Scott was determined to make his Down and Out dream a reality. A chance meeting with Harvey Thompson, the acting president of Skydive Swoop (Hamilton, Ontario) provided Scott the opportunity to pitch Down and Out to Skydive Swoop’s board. Pending approval of the stunt, a new location, team, and aircraft would be at his disposal.

The board, although apprehensive at first, was soon convinced of Scott’s determination, drive, and relative skill in the sky. A date was set and a new team was assembled; Down and Out would be attempted on May 24th, 2010.

While Scott was negotiating the terms of his stunt attempt, he became involved with the Me To We team as speaker and ambassador to Free The Children . When Scott learned that a group of Toronto high school students was having difficulty reaching their financial goal to help build a school in Ecuador, Scott realized that he could turn Down and Out into more than just a stunt.

Hearing of their problem, Scott issued the students a challenge: reach your financial goal, and he would do the stunt blindfolded - a first in the skydiving world. With fresh motivation, the students took on the challenge and handily met their goal. Before he knew it, Scott was committed to attempting Down and Out blindfolded.

On May 24th, Scott jumped from a plane flying at 11, 000 feet. His wrists were bound by a pair of Smith and Wesson Model 100 handcuffs (the number one handcuff used by law enforcement in North America) through a special loop system at his waist. This prevented Scott from being able to reach the handle that would open his parachute unless he could free his hands. Scott also had a black bag over his head, which acted as a blindfold secured by a helmet.

At the end of the stunt, Scott had freed himself from the handcuffs and safely landed his parachute, blindfolded. More importantly, however, a school has been built in Ecuador, a fact that will allow thousands of students to break the cycle of poverty through education.

Now that’s magic.

STUNT WORK DISCLAIMER: Scott works extensively with trained professionals to ensure that he is well prepared to attempt his stunts successfully and safely. However, despite his precautions, there is a very real element of risk in all of Scott’s stunts. The stunts depicted and described on this website are extremely dangerous and should not be attempted by an individual who is not a trained, professional stunt performer.

Escape To Cloud Nine

You are enveloped in a straitjacket and locked in fifty feet of steel chains.

You are hanging over the side of a hot air balloon by your ankles, 7,200 feet in the air.

You cannot be freed until you’ve released yourself from the 4 padlocks securing the50 feet of chains, and escaped from the straitjacket.

Also.

You are afraid of heights.

Escape to Cloud Nine was Scott’s attempt at setting the Guinness World Record for “The World’s Highest Suspension Straight Jacket Escape”. To do so, Scott traveled to an altitude of over 7,200 feet in a hot air balloon and was suspended out of the balloon by his ankles.

However, Scott wasn’t just hanging over the side of the balloon; he was enclosed in a regulation straitjacket, wrapped in over fifty feet of steel chains, and secured with four padlocks.

Hanging upside-down, Scott managed to release himself from the locks, chain, and straight jacket before losing consciousness .

Now, here’s where things really get tricky: Scott is afraid of heights!

This amazing escape was seen internationally on the popular television show, “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” and led to several other television appearances. Conquering his fear of heights to perform a record-breaking stunt also gave Scott the story he needed to break into the motivational speaking circuit.

STUNT WORK DISCLAIMER: Scott works extensively with trained professionals to ensure that he is well prepared to attempt his stunts successfully and safely. However, despite his precautions, there is a very real element of risk in all of Scott’s stunts. The stunts depicted and described on this website are extremely dangerous and should not be attempted by an individual who is not a trained, professional stunt performer.

Hot Hands

Sometimes accidents happen.

You heal.

You learn…

… and then you go beyond!

Scott has built on the foundation of what he learned in producing the Roman Cascade video to create a second video which focuses on juggling fire. “Hot Hands” combines footage of Scott performing a routine, juggling balls which have been set on fire, choreographed to original music and manipulated in the editing process to create an illusion of Scott moving forward in slow motion while the props and background move backwards.

In the making of this video, Scott has used his entertainment skills in combination with an enhanced interest in video production to create a new showcase that combines his motivating messages of doing what you love, problem solving and team building.

In 2014, Scott decided to try his hand at another stylized juggling video. This time, he wasn’t juggling live explosives, just juggling balls. Oh, but they were on fire! After having customized music produced for the video by Andrew Juurinen, Scott choreographed a juggling routine, but with the music playing backwards. He then choreographed a juggling routine to the track played at double the speed, and filmed it backwards. Sound confusing? The end result looks like Scott walking in slow motion but all of the props and everything in the background are moving backwards. He calls that video Hot Hands.

STUNT WORK DISCLAIMER: Scott works extensively with trained professionals to ensure that he is well prepared to attempt his stunts successfully and safely. However, despite his precautions, there is a very real element of risk in all of Scott’s stunts. The stunts depicted and described on this website are extremely dangerous and should not be attempted by an individual who is not a trained, professional stunt performer.

Milk Can Escape

Take a deep breath.

You’re handcuffed and completely submerged underwater in a milk can.

The can is locked from the outside.

Your body wants to float, but there is nowhere to move.

You cannot breathe, you cannot speak.

No one will know if something goes wrong.

One of Houdini’s most dangerous and challenging escapes was his famous Milk Can Escape. The stunt featured a 55 gallon milk can filled to the brim with water. Houdini was shackled and manacled, submerged in the water, and the can was locked from the outside.

In the early 1900s, audiences believed that Houdini was able to escape the milk can because he possessed the power to dematerialize and walk through solid objects. It was this stunt that spurred rumours of Houdini’s supernatural abilities.

The psychological and physiological control required for this escape, combined with the obvious element of danger, mean that few escape artists are willing to risk this stunt.

In his version of the escape, Scott seamlessly blends the historical elements that made this stunt so famous with modern twists that make it unforgettable.

STUNT WORK DISCLAIMER: Scott works extensively with trained professionals to ensure that he is well prepared to attempt his stunts successfully and safely. However, despite his precautions, there is a very real element of risk in all of Scott’s stunts. The stunts depicted and described on this website are extremely dangerous and should not be attempted by an individual who is not a trained, professional stunt performer.

52 Freefly

Pick a card, any card.

You’re flying through the air at 120 miles per hour.

13,000 feet in the sky, the air is frigid, making it nearly impossible to execute sleight of hand.

Pick the wrong card, and you’ve wasted your whole team’s time and money.

Pick the right card, and it’s one for the record books.

In January of 2009, Scott packed his bags and headed to California to begin training for his skydiving stunt, Down and Out. However, for a variety of reasons (including inclement weather, stunt team changes, and issues with obtaining permission), Down and Out was postponed indefinitely. Rather than leave California empty-handed, Scott assembled a new team and planned a record-breaking stunt that he was able to execute on the same day he was told he could not attempt Down and Out.

Aiming to set the Guinness World Record for Fastest Moving Card Trick, Scott planned a stunt that would take place in the air after he jumped from an airplane flying at approximately 13,000 feet.

The stunt posed unique challenges. First, the high altitude meant that the air would be very cold. The colder the air, the more difficult it is to perform sleight of hand. Second, the trick had to be captured on video to officially qualify for the world record. As such, Scott had to maintain his fall rate with his volunteer and camera crew; otherwise, the stunt would not count.

Fanning a pack of playing cards for a volunteer in the air, Scott asked her to select a card, return it to the middle of the pack, and then release the whole deck into the 120+ mph winds. Flying above the volunteer, Scott reached out and caught a single card from the cascade. Miraculously, the card he chose was the same one selected by the volunteer just moments earlier. Scott was in the record books!

On a personal note, Nick Fener, the amazing skydiver who helped Scott plan and film this stunt, had an extremely serious skydiving accident in 2011. If you would like to help support his recovery by making a donation, or you’d like to read the incredibly inspiring story of his journey, please visit: www.NickFener.com

STUNT WORK DISCLAIMER: Scott works extensively with trained professionals to ensure that he is well prepared to attempt his stunts successfully and safely. However, despite his precautions, there is a very real element of risk in all of Scott’s stunts. The stunts depicted and described on this website are extremely dangerous and should not be attempted by an individual who is not a trained, professional stunt performer.

Suspension Straitjacket Escape

The Suspension Straight Jacket Escape will always be a special stunt for Scott; it was this stunt that earned him his first Guinness World Record for “Highest Suspension Straitjacket Escape.” This amazing escape was seen internationally on the popular television show, “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” and led to several other television appearances.

Since it’s not always possible to access the space and crew required for a hot air balloon, Scott has earned a reputation executing this stunt from buildings, cranes, and other structures around the world.

This crowd favourite has all of the elements that make up a spectacular stunt: the history, the danger, and the skill of the illusionist laid bare in 360 degree vision. The stunt is thrilling and often highly publicized because of its difficulty and daring.

Scott has performed this stunt at a variety of events, including Waterloo’s Festival of Fools, The Mount Forest Fireworks display, Hanging at High Noon in Vernon, British Columbia, Rear View Fundraiser at the Living Arts Center, The Canadian Student Leadership Conference in Montreal, Global Issues Network GINSING Conference in Singapore and for the Count Me In Conference, to highlight a few. For more information about booking this stunt for your event, please contact .

STUNT WORK DISCLAIMER: Scott works extensively with trained professionals to ensure that he is well prepared to attempt his stunts successfully and safely. However, despite his precautions, there is a very real element of risk in all of Scott’s stunts. The stunts depicted and described on this website are extremely dangerous and should not be attempted by an individual who is not a trained, professional stunt performer.

Needles

WARNING: DO NOT ATTEMPT ANYTHING YOU ARE ABOUT TO READ.

25 needles. A few feet of string.

You swallow them all.

Now, you must reproduce them, with the needles knotted to the string.

Only talented tummies need apply.

Before Harry Houdini toured the world as a great escape artist, he paid his dues performing at dime museums. During his time off, he would learn every skill he could from the other featured acts. He learned to juggle, which improved his hand-eye coordination. He studied flexibility with the contortionists, which enabled him to escape from tight spaces. And he learned how to regurgitate, just in case he was ever caught without a key.

To practice regurgitation, Houdini tied a ball to a string, held the string in one hand, and swallowed the ball. By pulling on the string, he was able to figure out which muscles he must constrict and relax in order to produce the ball with little pain.

Eventually, after much practice, Houdini was able to swallow the ball and regurgitate it without the use of a string. In his final show at New York’s Hippodrome, Houdini performed an amazing regurgitation trick for an audience of over 5,000 people.

After over a year of dedicated practice, Scott is now able to replicate Houdini’s needle trick. After a volunteer examines the string, the needles, and Scott’s person to make sure nothing is concealed, Scott swallows 35 sewing needles followed by a few feet of string. Before the audience’s eyes, Scott regurgitates the string with the needles magically knotted to it.

“I love the strong reaction this trick gets from the audience,” says Scott, “like my straitjacket escape, audiences are split between those who can’t look, and those who can’t turn away!”

STUNT WORK DISCLAIMER: Scott works extensively with trained professionals to ensure that he is well prepared to attempt his stunts successfully and safely. However, despite his precautions, there is a very real element of risk in all of Scott’s stunts. The stunts depicted and described on this website are extremely dangerous and should not be attempted by an individual who is not a trained, professional stunt performer.

Public Vanish

You want to make a difference.

You want to help feed those in need.

You’ve got five days to do it.

All you have to do is disappear.

In 2010, Scott decided that it was time to bring his stunts back down to earth and attempt something so out of the box that it was…inside of a box.

Typically, magicians are known for making volunteers vanish. However, Scott decided to turn the tables and challenged the city of Toronto to make him disappear.

To achieve this feat, Scott spent five days and four nights inside a glass box in front of Toronto’s historic Union Station. The public made him disappear by bringing canned food donations that were piled around the box until Scott disappeared inside.

The city rallied around the cause and, in the end, the box vanished more than four times over with residents donating over 18,200 pounds of food to the local food bank.

STUNT WORK DISCLAIMER: Scott works extensively with trained professionals to ensure that he is well prepared to attempt his stunts successfully and safely. However, despite his precautions, there is a very real element of risk in all of Scott’s stunts. The stunts depicted and described on this website are extremely dangerous and should not be attempted by an individual who is not a trained, professional stunt performer.